Addressing racism in the workplace through simulation: So much to unlearn.
Moni Fricke, Debra Beach Ducharme, Allana Beavis and 2 others
PMID 37064598WHAT IT FOUND
Therapists described an anti-racism simulation as clarifying how to interrupt microaggressions, but admitted they still fear damaging colleague relationships.
They valued having specific phrases ready, noting that speaking up feels risky even when silence harms patient care.
Key findings
01All survey respondents agreed the workshop clarified their role in addressing microaggressions and provided tools to start dismantling racism in their workplace.
02Participants reported being reluctant to use the terms 'racist' or 'racism' due to fear of disrupting collegial relationships, despite acknowledging that silence impacts quality of care.
03Therapists found specific communication strategies helpful, such as asking 'What do you mean by that?' or using the 'Opening The Front Door' technique to describe, think, feel, and state desires.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The survey response rate was only 29%, meaning the views of the majority of participants are missing. The study was a program evaluation, not a rigorous qualitative research design. The analysis was conducted by two researchers who acknowledged their own colonial settler biases. The workshop was delivered virtually, so the results may not apply to in-person training. Participants were predominantly white and had not personally experienced racism, limiting the generalizability of their reactions.
Declared interests
No funding was received for this evaluation, and survey respondents were not financially compensated. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the 100% agreement from respondents as evidence that this training changes clinical outcomes or reduces racism. The study reports participants' self-perceived readiness and emotional reactions, not actual behavior in the workplace or patient health results.